Keep Pregnant Women Out of Chains
A chain squeezing her stomach is the last thing a woman should have to worry about when she's in labor.
Shackling pregnant women is both medically dangerous and a huge human rights concern. Yet, last year California vetoed a bill offering incarcerated women protection during pregnancy.
At any stage of pregnancy, imprisoned women could be forced into leg irons, waist chains, or handcuffs. Since women in their third trimester often have balance issues, shackles could make them extra susceptible to falling and injuring themselves and their unborn children.
Current legislation doesn't even specify labor as the period leading up to birth. Officers can legally restrain a woman until she delivers her child. These women are often restrained again before they've fully recovered.
AB 2530 would make it illegal for the CDRC to shackle or cuff a woman during any stage of pregnancy. Tell Governor Brown to pass AB 2530 and give pregnant prisoners legislative protection!
Dear Governor Brown,
The current lack of legislative protection for incarcerated pregnant women is abominable. While it is sensible to restrain most prisoners during transportation, many pregnant women risk miscarrying or becoming injured if cuffed and shackled while in labor.
[Your comments here]There need to be laws allowing a woman to carry out a healthy pregnancy, even if she is in prison. Anything less is inhumane. I urge you to pass AB 2530 to make it illegal for the CDRC to shackle or cuff a woman during any stage of pregnancy, as well as requiring the CDRC to inform pregnant women of their right to decline restraint.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
